EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S 2026 MESSAGE

Across the Caribbean, the sea is more than the expanse of turquoise waters that surround us. It is the pillar of our food, nutrition and economic security. It feeds us. It employs us. It connects us. And for thousands of Caribbean families, it represents hope for a better tomorrow.

At the CRFM, our mission is to lead the way across the Caribbean, to sustainably manage the fisheries and aquaculture resources, so that they are more resilient and more productive. Food security is not simply about having enough food today. It is about building systems that can feed our people for generations to come.

That means supporting our fishers, strengthening aquaculture, embracing science and technology, protecting our marine resources, expanding economic opportunities, and reducing the Caribbean’s vulnerability to climate change and other threats.

That is why the Caribbean Week of Agriculture matters! Over the years, the CRFM has ensured that fisheries and aquaculture remain integral to the regional agriculture and food security conversation. If I had to describe CWA in three words, they would be:

·         Partnership

·         Innovation

·         Transformation

The theme of CWA 2026, “The New F.A.C.E. of Caribbean Food Systems,” speaks directly to the future we must build:

->   a future in which agriculture and fisheries are not treated as separate worlds but as interconnected pillars of resilient Caribbean food systems;

-> a future driven by our farmers and fishers, our entrepreneurs, our scientists and our innovators—men, women, and youth—and strengthened by technology, investment, and regional cooperation.

As we celebrate the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, our focus will be on meaningful action, investment, national and regional solutions, as well as reducing vulnerability and strengthening resilience. The Caribbean’s wealth encompasses vast knowledge, diverse resources, and a vibrant people. Working courageously together, and with a firm determination, we can create the new FACE of Caribbean Food Systems that our people, and especially our children, deserve.

On behalf of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, I invite you to be part of CWA 2026.

Come. Participate. Partner. Invest. Together, let us build a Caribbean that can feed and sustain itself and confidently shape our future.